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That doesn’t mean I’ve only been grateful for three visits on this journey. That would defeat the purpose of what’s happening here. Matcha Time Cafe is one of my favorite places to visit (Part 1 and 2 can be found here) anywhere. It’s more than just my love for Ellicott City, (even though that only enhances experience) it’s a love of local business, and a the people behind it.

The space and time between this and the last visit was much less, and I suspect that this will continue. For this visit, it was a quiet Friday afternoon, unplanned, and in some ways my favorite of the three. But they’ve all been my favorite. Something about this had a feel, just like most experiences area. Something just felt safe, felt secure, felt even more safe, and felt like home.

This was just that much more safe, it was essential, and it was one of those feelings that can’t be explained.

We’re all in weird places from time to time. Hopefully for the most part we’re in harmonious ones that when we go somewhere safe and happy, that feeling is that much more amplified. Otherwise, a place like Matcha is just that much more needed. I don’t like that word ‘need’, because it represents lack. But sometimes those lacks need (oops) to be filled. That comes from within, but it helps to get assistance from friends, from good food, of course good tea, and sometimes from people you don’t even know.

You know when things are comfortable and great when you can relax and the owner (who is also a friend) is working off to the side, and we can enjoy some conversation, but even better in some instances, silence. I mean of course there was tea. Let me get to that now.

Ah it’s now really fall, and that means these endearing lists of teas, coffees, and ciders. And there’s is as charming as it gets. Funny how I’ve never had the Pumpkin Spice Tea from Matcha before, so let’s do it.

I had multiple cups and each one just tasted better than the other. And that speaks to the power and quality of the loose tea itself. If you can get multiple cups with lots of flavor remaining, all is good with the universe. I took my time with each cup. Then somewhere along the way…

Let’s have some chicken curry. What a perfect dish for this time of year. It was still bright enough outside and there’s this crisp coolness that just feels right, but also tells you that well, yeah not yet….

This food and tea combination felt like a home cooked meal. But in so many ways I felt like I was at home. This was happiness. I got comfortable, and maybe too comfortable, but is that such a bad thing?

I shouldn’t have to question joy. No one should. I’m in a place of healing and it take a while, maybe forever to be healed. Yet there’s always time to feel good and to feel better. I felt so good here. I lost track of time. I felt like I was here 20 minutes, yet I was here nearly three hours. That’s when you know peace. We’re capable of attracting so much peace and harmonious feelings regardless of what the outside world presents itself.

The view of the outside world on this day was pretty amazing. There was an outdoor wedding about to be held. It was cool to see the set-up to the start of the ceremony. Across the way live music was about to take place. I forgot this was a Friday, and fun things like that tend to happen. I could have stayed here, but maybe it was time to join the outside world. Well that and they were about to close.

I like to think they stayed opened longer so I could feel as safe as long as possible. Maybe I left before closing. I don’t remember. But I know I could have stayed there for a while. I did but you know, a while…

My friend gave me a hot apple cider to go, and it was beautiful. Cider is one of those comfort drinks that I should drink more often, but then maybe it wouldn’t feel so special. Again, happiness should never have an arbitrary amount of or anything like that. No.

I joined the concert with my cider, and I didn’t know a single soul, and it felt wonderful. I felt connected to everyone while not knowing anybody. Maybe somebody was going through something similar. Maybe because I’m a in a place I’m not a regular, that people smiled at me just to say, everything’s going to be ok. You’re ok. I hope so.

This day was more than ok. It was one of my favorites. My favorites are always the simplest ones, with a lot of good conversation, then a lot of peace, and that leads to inner peace, and inner joy. That’s the season for you.

There’s a lot of beautiful moments to come. I can feel it. No event is ever the same nor should it be attempted, but I can only hope for more amazing ones down the line.

This life is fun and funny at times. What started out as any other day (and I don’t like days just being ordinary or like ‘any other day’), turned into one that was full of happiness, joy, hope, and many things to look forward to in the present, as well as the future.

It’s not like business will be slow, or this or any other business needs any more publicity or promotion leading into this weekend. But that’s not the point. The point is to promote positivity, support a local business, and support someone who I now consider a friend.

I hadn’t introduced myself to the manager, Hatsumi, at the time. Actually maybe I did after I sat outside in the what was an unseasonably warm yet picturesque day, that gave me one of the best stories, on not just about tea, but about anything. I got some awesome pictures too. And I say that with confidence, because I haven’t read it since. I rarely read what I write. Maybe I’ll go back and see how well that story, among others, has aged. I bet it’s timeless. I know it is.

So nearly a year-and-a-half later, my return visit tells a different story, yet it’s all relative, and all means so much.

I had given a heads up that I was on my way and was greeted with open arms. That made me feel so good. On a day where everything felt unique and uncomfortably fantastic at times, it was good to see a familiar face.

After a several minute chat, that became much longer, I got to sample some of the new teas for the season. I also see that they make dumplings in house, along with so many other amazing foods. I forgot it’s more than just a cafe. There’s a delicious and nutritious element to their menu, that must be revisited again. And no it won’t be another 18 months till the next time. That’s a guarantee.

After a few moments of deliberation, I was presented the Masala Chai Latte, and as an added bonus, a gluten free chocolate cake. Yes it’s as rich as it gets ladies and gentlemen. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

The latte is as gorgeous and splendid as it looks. It’s a bit heavy and rich, like I said, so sip carefully, slowly, and in peace. It’s going to wake you up. And on a day or string of days where I’ve been perpetually exhausted, this was as welcome a beverage as any.

And that cake. I didn’t know it was gluten free until I was basically full from my tea. I first thought there’s no way I can have all this. When I found out it was GF, there was this open sigh of relief. It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

I enjoyed my cake later, and once again, as beautiful as it looks, it would be a shame not to eat. It was beautiful.

Everything about this visit was beautiful.

I’m glad I arrived when I did, right before lunch, as business started to pick up, and the time for conversation was beginning to wane. But a good hour or so was just enough. And like I said, I’ll be back much sooner than later.

I see this being more than a trilogy. I see this being a recurring story, with no timetable, no expectations, just a good time with good people, and some more amazing teas and tasteful bites.

The way I write this might feel like a transition. And maybe it is. Maybe I’m projecting, but my intent is to project the good I’m feeling based on not just this visit, but the first one, and so many other invaluable experiences, all for the love of tea.

Since this writing, their official grand opening has taken place. I wish I was able to attend, but the timing of things and life prevented me from doing so. But I’m grateful to have made the serendipitous visit last Thursday. And it’s truly an honor to come up with two stories based on what is hopefully he the first of many stops to this majestic place.

I’ll admit I’ve fallen into patterns like so many of us do. I find myself in routines, going to the same places, ordering the same things, and wondering what’s wrong with me. Literally I go through this mantra in my head from time-to-time. And there’s nothing wrong with me, or you, or anyone. We like what we like. But I don’t like a lot of routine.

Even if it’s the same cup of coffee, I rather get it from a different place, just to keep a level of sanity. But you know what the say about insanity. Well somebody somewhere said something.

A place like Syriana Cafe is the complete opposite of the norm. It’s a an art gallery, cafe, and a place of rest. It’s so much more on top of all that. It’s the type of experience that I’d want to be a part of on a regular basis, that would never be the same and never get old.

I was informed that Syriana Cafe has an agreement with the tea company, which is a win win for everyone. Local supporting local is what life is all about. And I’m all about it…

But this tea is the perfect preview of sunnier and happier days ahead. And I know they’re coming. In my heart and mind they’re here and they’ve always been here. A tea with this soul, this spirit, and not to mention the color, flavor, and aftertaste brings all the feelings and emotions of all that is good in the universe.

The synopsis is here so I don’t need to go into that detail. I can only envision how great this would be iced. Yum.

When enjoyed in a setting such as this, with so many beautiful visual cues, a powerful and vibrational energy, and a picturesque town such as Ellicott City, it’s the stuff you read or see about, but also know it exists.

I want to thank the owner, Majd, for chatting with me for a few minutes, and giving me a bit of history in how this cafe came to be.

By looks of the grand opening, there’s nothing but a warm embrace and support from not only the neighborhood, but the town, and Howard County. As I said in the title, there’s room for everybody. One successful local business can only benefit the other ones surrounding it. I know success, prosperity, and all around great things are to come for this place.

This was tremendous. I don’t know where to go from here. Actually yes I do. If time is allowed, I may do another post this week (and when I post outside of Tea Tuesday, you know it means something) on this beautiful town and in celebration of the upcoming festival.

You can’t compare one over the other, and it looks like I just did before I even began, but, the Bean Hollow nestled in perfectly in Old Ellicott City has the charm and panache of what makes this neighborhood so great.

I’ve been here several times before but under different circumstances and right before I started doing this Tea thing that I do. If I had known now what I knew then, this would become a fixture. And it just might be.

The place is so inviting, so cozy, and will charm even the most grouchy and dopey of patrons. Well maybe not, but I think so. There’s nothing that’s going to jump out and scream overly pretentious at you, and this is what most of us want. We want a local shoppe that makes you feel at home even when you don’t know anybody.

You don’t have to now anybody. But in this community, at least for this moment, it seemed like friendly folks knew each other or knew of each other. And in the most positive and warm of ways. As an outsider, I want to believe that. There were several random smiles and hellos from people I’ve never seen before (maybe I have hmm..) and it’s still always a pleasant surprise to me. It should be the rule and not the exception. I think that made sense.

All I intended to do was to come in here for breakfast and maybe grab a coffee or tea (yes tea!!) to go, and keep on doing whatever I was doing. I’m not sure what that was, but unless it’s something dire, was there really a rush?

Never heard of them. Not sure how else I would discover them but I’m happy it happened here.

There were packages for sale but I kindly asked the staff if they sell these teas individually for sipping. And they kindly said yes. Yay! I went with the Cherry Almond Green, and honestly it likely tasted better because of the setting.

What I mean by that is if I drank this at home or on the road it may have just felt like any standard tea. Not that there would be anything wrong with it, but I’d likely forget about it as soon as it over over. But because I sat down, had a lovely breakfast, and my tea was presented in quite the charming cup, the results were likely so much different.

Otherwise it tasted like a standard green tea with some cherry flavoring added to it.

And I took my time too. By knowing I’m not always here, and not sure when I’ll be back, I took a few photos of my food and tea and then turned the camera off. This was peace that is (by mainly our own doing) harder to come by.

Many coffee and breakfast shoppes are charming yet they all have similar and sometimes bland characteristics. This one had a little more to it. I know my love affair with charming towns like this one have much to do with it but regardless this tea likely tasted infinitely times better because of where I was and how I was feeling.

In addition, I would absolutely try more of their teas in the future if the opportunity presents itself. And I hope and I know that it will be at Bean Hollow, which makes me so happy. I can’t wait to go back.